Who needs flowers! Couples would rather have a hug over a bouquet or jewellery to celebrate Valentine’s Day during lockdown
- This is the first Valentine’s Day that will be celebrated during a lockdown
- Covid-19 has thrown all plans for a getaway or a romantic meal out the window
- Nearly 93 per cent of couples surveyed only want a hug for their Valentine’s gift
Couples don’t want the typical Valentine’s gifts this year, all they want is a hug and time together as the lockdown leaves many set to spend the day alone.
This Valentine’s Day is the first time it will be celebrated during lockdown.
Covid-19 has thrown all plans for a getaway or a romantic meal out the window and many couples who don’t live together will be unable to see each other.
Among those who are able to be together, almost 58 per cent are planning an intimate meal, either a takeaway (36 per cent) or specially prepared (22 per cent), as a treat for their partner or spouse.
The coronavirus lockdown has scuppered all plans for a romantic getaway or a romantic meal
But the most craved for wish by almost all couples (93 per cent) was simply to have a hug and feel wanted, according to a study carried out for luxury confectionary and hamper suppliers Cartwright and Butler.
Sonia Whiteley-Guest of Cartwright and Butler: “This Valentine’s Day is going to be a lonely one for many people and a hug is the one thing we miss when we can’t be together. Making a gesture and showing a loved one you care will be especially important this year whether it’s a message, a card or chocolates – or even the simplest thing like a phone call.
“In a physically distanced world, all of us are missing the comfort of a good hug. If it isn’t possible to reach out and physically touch a loved one, there are other ways to stimulate the feel-good ‘hugging hormone’ oxytocin.
Thoughtful gifts can help, as do words of love and affection.
Physical comforts like warm baths, relaxing music or cosying up with pets are also conducive to oxytocin release.
Get creative with small ‘gifts’ that will make you feel good in your own body and emotionally connected to others.
If these conditions are present, it is likely the ‘hugging hormone’ is too,” said Kelly Hearn, Psychotherapist and Co-Founder, Examined Life.
Over eight out of ten of those dating and unable to meet up will rely on messages on social media, a card or token gift to express their love.
Some 71 per cent of those in a relationship questioned for the survey claimed they would make an effort to be romantic this Valentine’s Day.
Cards will be bought by 40 per cent, followed by chocolates 17 per cent and flowers 10 per cent.
A quarter of those living apart said they planned to celebrate via a video link with just over half sending messages over social media.
Among couples surveyed, 93 per cent only wanted to be hugged and feel wanted by their partner
A fifth plan on watching a TV box set or enjoying a movie.
Those hoping to receive an expensive gesture will be disappointed as due to the lockdown, getaway trips are banned.
It comes as the UK has introduced stringent new measures due to come into effect the day after Valentine’s Day – February 15 – which requires people to shell out over a thousand pounds for a quarantine hotel.
Restaurants, bars, high street florists, clothes stores and jewellers closed spending on Valentine’s is predicted to plunge from the record £1.43 billion splashed out last year.
The average spend on a loved one, according to the study, will drop to £22.50 down from £34 in 2020 and less than was spent on Valentine’s three years ago.
One in six couples say they have agreed to do a money free Valentine’s Day and plan a more romantic occasion when lockdown restrictions are eased.
Although, it is not clear when Brits can expect restrictions to ease after it was revealed yesterday that Downing Street advisers have recommended that rules such as social distancing and face masks could last until next autumn.